Managing IBS symptoms
Managing IBS symptoms3,6,7
There is no cure for IBS; however, diet and lifestyle changes can help control symptoms.
Advise customers to:
- Eat three regular meals a day as part of a healthy, balanced diet
- Keep a food and symptom diary to help identify triggers
- Find ways to relax, e.g. try out yoga or mindfulness
- Exercise regularly
- Lose weight if overweight.
Some customers may choose to take a probiotic, either as a supplement or in yoghurts or fermented milks. NICE advises that these should be used for at least four weeks.
Advise customers NOT to:
- Delay or skip meals
- Eat late at night
- Eat too quickly
- Eat lots of processed, spicy or fatty foods
- Eat more than three portions of fresh fruit a day
- Drink more than three cups of tea or coffee a day
- Drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks.
When to seek medical advice
Customers should be advised to see their GP if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Bleeding from the back passage or blood in their stools
- A lump or swelling in their abdomen
- Shortness of breath, palpitations and pale skin.
These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.
Customers may ask about specific symptoms, so make sure you are tailoring advice accordingly.
Symptoms of diarrhoea or bloating
- Reduce intake of high-fibre foods like wholegrain foods (such as brown bread, brown rice and bran), nuts and seeds
- Consider reducing intake of caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks
- Limit foods that can be difficult to digest such as cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit
- Avoid sugar-free sweets, mints, gum and drinks containing sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.
Symptoms of constipation
- Ensure adequate fluid intake to make bowel movements softer
- Increase intake of foods containing soluble fibre such as oats, pulses and linseeds (whole or ground)
- Gradually increase fibre intake to minimise flatulence and bloating; it may take several weeks to see beneficial effects.